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  • CBBC

Magic Grandad

  • 1993 – 2009
  • Ended
  • Kids
  • ~15m / ep
  • 6 seasons
  • 6.0/10

Magic Grandad was an educational programme which originally aired on BBC Two under the title 'Switch On, Switch Off' during Schools section of 1993. The show saw 'Magic' Grandad take his young grandchildren back in time, many of the adventures are about comparing the past and the present and seeing how evidence of what happened in the olden days still survives. The show was said to make learning about history "fun for youngsters" and was aimed at children aged 5-7 years. The series was introduced to support the History National Curriculum at Key Stage 1. New seasons have been made periodically to support new areas of the infant history curriculum such as seaside holidays and toys. The early season have a companion booklet of teacher's notes with descriptions of the episodes, various suggestions for follow-up work and photocopiable worksheets.

Latest: More Famous People · 2009

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Magic Grandad now has a magic pocket watch which he uses to bring up more information on the famous person he and his grandchildren visit. The format has now changed slightly, the famous person is visited twice at different stages of their lives.

  1. E1. Amy Johnson

    Jun 11, 2009 · 15m

    Yasmin wants to be a pilot but Harry doesn't think women can fly planes. Grandad arrives and tells them about Amy Johnson, one of the first women ever to fly a plane.

  2. E2. Mrs Beeton

    Jun 11, 2009 · 15m

    Milly and Jamie are arguing whiel trying to cook the tea. Grandad takes them to meet Mrs Beeton and some of her 20 brothers and sisters.

  3. E3. The Unknown Warrior

    Jun 18, 2009 · 15m

    Millie and Jamie are interested in Grandad's memorial day poppy, so he takes them back to a battlefield of the First World War.

  4. E4. Charles Darwin

    Jun 18, 2009 · 15m

    Grandad takes Harry and Yasmin Charles Darwin.